Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown cause, and is characterized by the formation of small bead-like nodules called ‘granulomas’ in the lungs and nearby lymph nodes. If many granulomas come together, they can affect the working of the lungs which leads to the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.[1] Shortness of breath, fatigue and weakness, weight loss, chest pain, dry cough and enlarged lymph nodes around the lungs are the classic signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis.[2] If you don't want to treat your sarcoidosis with steroids, you can attempt to use natural remedies, including herbs, lifestyle and dietary modifications, and meditation and yoga, to ease your symptoms.

Steps

Method1

Making Dietary Modifications

1

Maintain a healthy diet to reduce your symptoms. You are what you eat, and your health depends on it.

The diet for a patient suffering from sarcoidosis should include healthy amounts of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, lean meats, fish, and low-fat milk and milk products.

A few additional dietary changes should be made to keep inflammation to a minimum in all the organs of your body, as sarcoidosis may affect any organ, at any point in time.

2

Substitute red meat for alternatives. Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy), or beans to get your protein.

Red meat from corn-fed animals tends to increase inflammation in the body and should be avoided.

3

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Drink water throughout your day to keep your body well-hydrated and flush out any toxins from your body.

Drinking around 6-8 glasses of water helps detoxify your system of heavy metals and other toxins that might aggravate sarcoidosis.

4

Eat a variety of antioxidant-rich foods. Antioxidant-rich foods reduce inflammation throughout the body.

Take goldenseal tablets. Goldenseal, also known as Hydrastis canadensis, possesses cooling and drying properties.

The root of the plant is used for medicinal purposes.

Goldenseal is an alternative, or an herb that helps cleanse, revitalize, and nourish the lymphatic fluids and cleanse the blood, which may be helpful in combating lymphatic system problems that lead to sarcoidosis symptoms.[6]

Goldenseal contains alkaloids like hydrastine and berberine that provide its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties.

Goldenseal can be used in tincture or powder form.

The dried root of the goldenseal may be consumed orally, 3 times per day, in the form of 1 gram tablets or 1 gram of decoction.

It should avoided during pregnancy and lactation.

Method3

Using Exercises

1

Meditate to reduce stress and inflammation. The symptoms of sarcoidosis can flare-up when you are stressed out, and meditation can be a useful way to combat increased stress.

Meditation and relaxing techniques can be used to overcome the challenges brought on by day-day life.

Perfecting the art of meditation takes some time, but all you need is time alone and a calm space free of distractions.

Close your eyes, focus on your breathing, and take time for yourself. This helps to free the mind of unwanted stress and worries.

2

Do yoga to improve your respiratory system. Yoga can be an effective pulmonary sarcoidosis remedy, because it helps clean out the lungs and respiratory system.

Pranayama is a form of yoga that may help treat a number of respiratory conditions, because it is focused on promoting respiratory health and clearing the lungs and respiratory passages.

Remain calm throughout your yoga exercises, as holistic approaches may take some time to improve your condition.[7] A few Pranayama exercises are highlighted below.

3

Try Bhastrika Pranayama. Find a comfortable seated position to begin the exercise.

Inhale rapidly and forcefully.

Then exhale rapidly making a sound like ‘hmph’, with the same kind of force as a large sneeze.

Do at least 4 vigorous breaths, making a bellows sound.

After the last one, release your breath slowly and begin some relaxing breaths.

Move back into the bellows breath and repeat the whole process.

These breathing exercises have a calming effect.

Alternatively, try anuloma viloma, another breathing exercise that involves inhaling through both nostrils together and exhaling alternately between the left and right nostrils.

The thumb of the right hand is used to manipulate the right nostril, while the pinky and ring finger are used to control the left nostril.[8]

4

Exercise with the tadasana. Stand with the base of your big toes touching, heels slightly apart (so that your second toes are parallel). Lift and spread your toes and the balls of your feet, then lay them softly down on the floor.

Rock back and forth and side to side. Gradually reduce this swaying to a standstill, with your weight balanced evenly on the feet.

Tighten your thigh muscles and lift your knee caps, without hardening your lower belly. Lift your inner ankles to strengthen the inner arches, then imagine a line of energy running all the way up along your inner thighs to your groins, and from there through the core of your torso, neck, and head, and out through the crown of your head.

Balance the crown of your head directly over the center of your pelvis, with the underside of your chin parallel to the floor, throat soft, and tongue wide and flat on the floor of your mouth. Soften your eyes.

Tadasana is usually the starting position for all the standing poses. But it's useful to practice Tadasana as a pose in itself.